ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis University dropped an Atlantic 10 Conference matchup to Duquesne here Saturday evening, as the Billikens fell 82-65 to the Dukes at Chaifetz Arena. 

The Billikens shot their second-lowest percentage going 22-68 from the floor and 6-21 from beyond the arc.

SLU drops to 11-16 overall and 6-8 in Atlantic 10 Conference play in the loss.

The visiting third-place A-10 team set the tone early at Chaifetz Arena knocking down three early three pointers to jump out to an 11-4 lead. The teams traded scores as the Billikens stayed within striking distance midway through the first quarter before the Dukes' second three-point play boosted them to go up seven. Five-straight unanswered points by the visitors and 64 percent shooting from the floor saw the Billikens into an 11 point deficit. 

The Billikens offensive woes continued into the second quarter as they earned a defensive stop, but immediately gave up a three-point play on the other end. SLU suffered a three-minute scoring drought midway through the period, before Camreé Clegg ended it, but the Billikens were down by 15. The Billikens defense stepped up in the ensuing possessions forcing a four-minute drought for the Dukes. Courtesy of the Billikens' first three of the day from Kyla McMakin, the home team trailed by 12 at the end of the half. 

SLU gave up a layup to start the second half, but McMakin answered in the paint for SLU. The Billikens made three three-pointers in the third quarter, but Duquesne's 56 percent shooting stifled all of SLU's comeback efforts.

The Billikens pulled back within 13 points in the fourth quarter but the Dukes had an answer, keeping them at Bay for the final 10 minutes of action. Despite shooting a night-best of 44 percent through the last quarter, SLU fell by 17 points.

McMakin's 24 points led the team while Julia Martinez pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and added four assists.

The Billikens travel to New York Wednesday to take on Fordham at 6 p.m. (CST).